{"id":43079,"date":"2026-04-09T20:52:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T12:52:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=43079"},"modified":"2026-04-09T20:52:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T12:52:36","slug":"jbl-live-780nc-and-680nc-review-great-leaps-greater-missteps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=43079","title":{"rendered":"JBL Live 780NC and 680NC review: Great leaps, greater missteps"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

JBL introduced two new headphones to its Live series lineup and both are fighting to live<\/em> up to expectations. Don\u2019t get me wrong, the JBL Live 780NC and 680NC are both a solid set of cans, but in a sea of noise-cancelling headphones, one of them definitely has more appeal. The biggest differences between these two headphones are the over-ear and on-ear cups, and surprisingly, their audio quality. Let\u2019s get into what does and doesn\u2019t make them so special.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Image<\/p>\n

JBL<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

The JBL Live 780NC are a solid set of headphones that are easily lost in the sea of mid-range cans. It\u2019s enough to be a decent companion, but not enough to excel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
<\/default:svg>Pros<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • Comfortable<\/li>\n
  • Lots of features<\/li>\n
  • Wide soundstage<\/li>\n
  • Solid ANC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    <\/default:svg>Cons<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
      \n
    • Hollow bass<\/li>\n
    • Need the app to disable ANC and Ambient modes<\/li>\n
    • Middling mic quality<\/li>\n
    • So much more expensive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      \n
      \n
      \n
      \"Image<\/p>\n

      JBL<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      \n
      \n

      With on-ear noise-canceling headphones being a more rare commodity, the JBL Live 680NC fills in a gap that folks definitely need, but it still isn\u2019t the best that it could be.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      \n
      <\/default:svg>Pros<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
        \n
      • Comfortable<\/li>\n
      • Lots of features<\/li>\n
      • Bassy sound<\/li>\n
      • Solid ANC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
        <\/default:svg>Cons<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
          \n
        • Narrow soundstage<\/li>\n
        • Need the app to disable ANC and Ambient modes<\/li>\n
        • Middling mic quality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

          Design and comfort<\/h2>\n

          Outside of varying colors and cup sizes, the JBL Live 780NC and 680NC look practically identical. They have these hockey puck-looking ear cups that are divided from the leatherette pads. The design looks like someone\u2019s idea of headphones from 10 years ago. It\u2019s not necessarily a bad thing, but it feels a bit clunky. Despite that, the metal hinge and leatherette band are more pleasantly minimalist. The cups also fold up neatly in a heart shape so you can slot them easily in the included bag.<\/p>\n

          There\u2019s a dedicated volume rocker on the left ear cup while the right holds room for a USB Type-C port, the active noise cancelling (ANC) button and a combo power\/Bluetooth switch (yes, it\u2019s a switch, not a button). Meanwhile, you get all of the touch controls available on the right cup of each set of headphones.<\/p>\n

          Both headphones felt a little uncomfortable to wear at first, but it usually takes time for me to get used to new cans. After spending several hours each with them, they eventually grew on me. They\u2019re both a bit snug, but neither one left me aching at the end of the day. I felt more relief when taking off the 680NC because of the added pressure of on-ear cups, but I\u2019m also not used to the on-ear design.<\/p>\n

          Seamless customizable features<\/h2>\n
          \n
          \"The